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Trivia: Musical Terms

Subject : trivia
Instructions:
  • Answer 50 questions in 15 minutes.
  • If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
  • Match each statement with the correct term.
  • Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.
1. Pleasing combination of two or three tones played together in the background while a melody is being played. Harmony also refers to the study of chord progressions.






2. A glissando or portamento. Also refers to the moving part of a trombone.






3. The element of music pertaining to time - played as a grouping of notes into accented and unaccented beats.






4. A loose collection of instrumental compositions.






5. The intonation - pitch - and modulation of a composition expressing the meaning - feeling - or attitude of the music.






6. The retuning of a stringed instrument in order to play notes below the ordinary range of the instrument or to produce an usual tone color.






7. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






8. A rhythmic succession of musical tones - a melody for instruments and voices.






9. Creating variation pitch in a note by quickly alternating between notes.






10. A symbol in sheet music that returns a note to its original pitch after it has been augmented or diminished.






11. Includes all twelve notes of an octave.






12. An important characteristic of the Romantic period. It is a style where the strict tempo is temporarily abandoned for a more emotional tone.






13. The performance of either all instruments of an orchestra or voices in a chorus.






14. A group of 4 instruments - two violins - a viola - and cello.






15. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






16. Either of the two octave arrangements in modern music. The modes are either major or minor.






17. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played gracefully.






18. The frequency of a note determining how high or low it sounds.






19. Convenient method of numbering a composer's works where a number follows the word 'opus'.For example - Opus 28 - No. 4.






20. A short and simple melody performed by a soloist that is part of a larger piece.






21. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






22. A lighthearted piece - written in several movements - usually as background music for a social function.






23. The keyboard of a stringed instrument.






24. A symbol indicating that the note is to be diminished by one semitone.






25. The voice between soprano and alto. Also - in sheet music - a direction for the tempo to be played at medium speed.






26. A contrapuntal song written for at least three voices - usually without accompaniment.






27. The seventh note of the scale where there is a strong desire to resolve on the tonic.






28. 3 or 4 notes played simultaneously in harmony.






29. Word to indicate the movement or entire composition is to be played very slow and serious.






30. Music composed such that each note is used the same number of times.






31. A 19th century square dance written for 4 couples.






32. A direction to play lively and fast.






33. A dance written in triple time - where the accent falls on the first beat of each measure.






34. Successive notes of a key or mode either ascending or descending.






35. To shift to another key.






36. A form of Italian opera beginning at the end of the 19th century. The setting is contemporary to the composer's own time - and the characters are modeled after every day life.






37. A symbol in sheet music a direction to play energetically.






38. One or more vocalists performing without an accompaniment.






39. To repeat a previous part of a composition generally after other music has been played.






40. Music written for a lively French dance for two performers written in triple time.






41. A piece of music written in triple time. Also an old French dance.






42. A form of music written for marching in two-step time. Originally the march was used for military processions.






43. Closing section of a movement.






44. Vocal composition written for three or more solo parts - usually without instrumental accompaniment.






45. Two or more voices or instruments playing the same note simultaneously.






46. Music that is written and performed without regard to any specific key.






47. A group singing in unison.






48. Often used in overtures - a composition that uses passages from other movements of the composition in its entirety.






49. A set of six musicians who perform a composition written for six parts.






50. A musical style characterized as excessive - ornamental - and trivial.